A Super Summer session will take place July 13-17 at Hardin-Simmons University. Anthony Moore, campus pastor at The Village Church in Fort Worth, will speak, with music led by Awaken. Anthony MooreSuper Summer is a learning experience for the young people designed to train them to be leaders in evangelism and missions.

BCFS, formerly known Baptist Child & Family Services, has named Cathi Cohen executive director of the system’s education services branch. Cohen will oversee the organization’s 91 Head Start classrooms in 24 sites in Texas. Janet Carrejo de Avila was appointed director of operations. Carrejo de Avila most recently led BCFS’ Head Start programs in Atacosa, Karnes and Wilson counties and has more than 25 years of experience in Head Start, a national program that promotes school readiness in children 3 to 5.

Bill FishbackHoward Payne University has named Bill Fishback to associate vice president for business and human resources. He also was named interim chief financial officer and will join HPU’s executive team as a member of the university’s administrative council. 

Event

Wes Hampton of the Gaither Vocal Band will be in concert at First Baptist Church in Covington Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. In addition to the concert, tickets also are available for an after-concert greeting time. To purchase tickets, click here. 

Volunteers with Urban Bounce, a disaster recovery opportunity for students, will tackle projects in Waco, July 6-11. Other trips are planned for Moore, Okla., July 13-18, and the Wimberly-San Marcos area hit by spring flooding, July 27-30. More information is available here.

Troy and Bettie Evans received Howard Payne University’s Spirit of Social Work Award. Dan Humeniak, assistant professor of social work and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology, made the presentation.Howard Payne University’s Social Work Advisory Board presented its Spirit of Social Work Award to Troy and Bettie Evans. The couple are longtime volunteers at Good Samaritan Ministries in Brownwood. They are members of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. 

Buckner Children and Family Services will present a free foster-care and adoption information meeting July 16 at 6:30 p.m. at 5200 Buckner Blvd. in Dallas. Participants will receive an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children, and domestic infant adoption and international adoptio n programs. For information or a reservation to attend, click here. 

Dallas Baptist University’s track and field team ministered in Israel during a recent mission trip. In addition to leading Bible lessons, singing and presenting their testimonies at Nazareth Baptist School, the students also participated in an archaeological dig at the Temple Mount. One DBU student, Randle Bragg, was credited with finding a metal clip used to hold Roman togas closed. 

Anniversaries

Derry Hinton, fifth, as pastor of God’s Way Baptist Church in Tyler, July 27.

Joe Stafford, 10th, as associate minister of music at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.

Craig Yates, fifth, as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Bryan.

Artis Edwards, 10th, as pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Brenham.

Retiring

Gil Lain, as pastor of Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo, Aug. 30. A lunch celebrating his 24 years of service to the congregation and 48 years in ministry will be held after the combined 9:45 a.m. service.

Ordained

Benigno Suarez, Alexander Wanton and Robert Suarez to the ministry at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston.

Wayne Barecky to the ministry at Westover Baptist Church in San Marcos.

Hardin-Simmons University President Emeritus Jesse Fletcher received a statue of Christ washing Peter’s feet from International Mission Board President David Platt to commemorate his founding of the Missionary Journeyman program in 1965. Of the 46 original journeymen, 31 were able to attend the 50-year reunion in Richmond, Va. Currently, there are 229 journeymen in the field, and six are awaiting orientation. 

Howard Payne University presented Christopher Burnett and Paula Johnson with the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award.Howard Payne University honored six students for their demonstration of servant leadership on campus and in the community. Christopher Burnett, a senior from Early, and Paula Johnson, a senior from Spring received the Nat Tracy Servant Leader Award. The award was established in 1998 to honor Nat Tracy, a member of the university’s Bible faculty from 1950 to 1975. Also, HPU Servant Leadership award recipients include Shaefer Church of Bloomfield, N.M., Victoria Hardin of Bangs, Brogan Turner of Brownwood and Courtney Turner of Bastrop. A $1,000 scholarship is provided to each recipient of the Servant Leadership award, and students designate $250 of that amount to be given to a charity of their choice.

Charles WalterBaylor University named Charles Walter director of the Sue and Frank Mayborn Natural Science and Cultural History Museum Complex, effective Aug. 3. He is the current chief operating officer of the San Antonio Children’s Museum. He will succeed Ellie Caston, who is retiring after almost 13 years as director but will continue to teach in the museum studies department.

Anniversary

Jim Gerlach, 10th, as pastor of Oak View Baptist Church in Irving. He has served the congregation 31 years in various ministry roles.

Chris Irving, fifth, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Gonzales, July 27.

Retiring

Bill Wiman, as minister of education and administration at First Baptist Church in Bryan, July 31. He has served the congregation 31 years, the last 23 as minister of education and administration. He also served at First Baptist Church in Marshall, Pioneer Drive in Abilene, Second Baptist Church in Dublin, First Baptist Church in Duncanville, Belmont Baptist Church in Abilene, Colonial Hill Baptist Church in Snyder.

Licensed

Alex Dennis, to the ministry at Oak View Baptist Church in Irving, June 14. He is minister of students.

Cabinet members of East Texas Baptist University laid hands on President Blair Blackburn and prayed for him as he began his tenure at the school in Marshall (see photo above). Blackburn, who had been executive vice president at Dallas Baptist University since 2002, succeeds Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, who became president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., last June.

Students (left to right) Carrie Leach, Sydney Spencer, Danielle Parkhurst and Sydnee Petty were selected for Howard Payne University’s Sumners Scholar program.Howard Payne University accepted Carrie Leach of Hurst, Danielle Parkhurst of Alleyton, Sydnee Petty of Early and Sydney Spencer of Georgetown into its Sumners Scholar program based on their academic excellence, sense of civic responsibility and leadership potential. Each will receive a $7,500-per-semester stipend to be used for tuition, fees, books or room and board. Participants also have opportunities to attend annual leadership and policy analysis conferences to supplement their learning and expand their growth potential. 

Dallas Baptist University named Joe Matos, professor of biblical studies, adviser of the year. He came to the university in 1998 and became a full-time faculty member in 2001.

Anniversary

First Baptist Church in Lorenzo, 100th, July 5. Ronnie Ledbetter is pastor.

Retiring

Billy Anderson, after 21 years as pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Groesbeck and 58 years of ministry. He also spent 20 of his 22 years of military service as a U.S. Army chaplain, where he attained the rank of major. 

Ordained

John White Jr. and Warren Miller Jr. as deacons at Victory Baptist Church in Groesbeck.

Craig Evans has been named the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins at Houston Baptist University, effective Jan. 1. He has published more than 70 books and 500 journal, articles and reviews and served as consultant for The Bible television miniseries.

TaShana Hooker, a TaShana Hooker, center, received the Howard Payne University Woman’s Club’s Yellow Rose Scholarship. She is pictured with, left, Jill Holamon, School of Music and Fine Arts administrative assistant; and Diana Ellis, HPU first lady and Woman’s Club president.sophomore from Carrollton, received the Yellow Rose Scholarship from Howard Payne University’s Woman’s Club. The scholarship is awarded annually to a female student who will begin her junior year the upcoming fall semester and who has maintained a 3.0 grade-point average. The recipient participates in campus extracurricular activities and exhibits leadership qualities representative of Christian values and beliefs.

Monica Mullins has been Monica Mullinsnamed director of student services for Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. She will oversee admissions, financial aid, career placement, alumni relations, campus ministry, student activities and student life. She also will develop academic and learning assistance programs. She previously served at Oklahoma Baptist University.

Anniversaries

Ed Gaither, 15th, as minister of music at Oakville Baptist Church in Oakville.

Retiring

Michael Hale, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Center, June 28. He has been in ministry 42 years, beginning at Huckabay Baptist Church in Stephenville in 1973. He also served Claytonville Baptist Church in Kress, First Baptist Church in Happy, First Baptist Church in Cross Plains and Travis Baptist Church in Corpus Christi. He has served the church in Center more than 10 years. He has served on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas since 2010. He and his wife, Olinda, will live in Temple.

Ordained

Josh Faucett to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Hart, where he is pastor.

Howard Payne University’s Woman’s Club honored Debra Wilson with the 2015 Yellow Rose Award. The award is presented annually to a woman who has exhibited leadership within her sphere of influence, who has exhibited fiscal, emotional or physical support to the university, and who represents Christian values and beliefs.

Buckner Children and Family Services will present a East Texas Baptist University dedicated the eight-court Veteran’s Memorial Tennis Complex, home of the Tiger tennis teams. Major General Vernon Lewis Jr. (Retired) provided the lead gift for the project. ETBU resurrected its tennis program in 2012 after a long absence. (Photo: Mike Midkiff/ETBU)free foster-care and adoption information meeting June 18 at 6:30 p.m. at 5200 Buckner Blvd. in Dallas. Participants will receive an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children, and domestic infant adoption and international adoption programs. For information or a reservation to attend, click here. 

B.H. Carroll Theological Institute awarded degrees and diplomas to 17 graduates during spring convocation and graduation ceremonies. Included in that number are doctor of philosophy degrees awarded to Jeremy Greer of Arkadelphia, Ark. and Justin Tollison of Fort Worth.

Anniversaries

Andy Brown, fifth, as minister to students at Crossroads Baptist Church in San Antonio.

Jordan Brown, fifth, as children’s ministry coordinator at First Baptist Church in Bay City.

Retiring

Gary Davis, as church administrator at First Baptist Church in Atlanta.

David Strawn, after more than 20 years as minister of education and administration at First Baptist Church in College Station.

Licensed

Austin Cavitt, Chris Cavitt, Evan Gray, Nathan Hamilton, Chadwick Lynn Myers, Grant Potter, Timothy Yerger and John Zalman V to the ministry at Paramount Baptist Church in Amarillo.

East Texas Baptist University will hold a spiritual renewal conference for senior adults June 3-5. “The Hilltop Experience: For the Living of These Days” will provide worship, preaching and biblical teaching focused on revival and renewal. Robert JeffressRobert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, will deliver the keynote address, “America’s Coming Implosion,” at 7 p.m. on the opening night. David Dykes, pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, will be the conference pastor. Bill Anderson is the Bible study teacher. The Hoppers will sing at 1 p.m. on the opening day, and Cynthia Clawson will sing at 7 p.m. on Friday. Humorists Aaron Wilburn and David Crain also will perform. Other guests include the Singing Men of East Texas, the Day to Remember Choir, Stacy Perkins, Billy Foote, Donnie Stribble, Aaron Perkins and the Boundless Love Quartet. The cost is $349 for couples and $225 for singles. The fee includes eight meals, housing on campus and concert tickets. For more information, call (903) 923-2042.

Gus Reyes, Gus Reyesdirector of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission and chief operating officer from the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, will serve as the White House liaison on the persecuted church and the deputy liaison to the United Nations.

Baylor University will hold a traditional Dr Pepper Hour for university and Truett Theological Seminary alumni and friends June 18 at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, immediately following the evening worship at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly. 

Anniversaries

Marcus Lawhon, 20th, as pastor of Redeemer Baptist Church in Brenham.

Clyde Strong, 25th, as pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in College Station.

Preston Benson, 10th, as pastor of New Beginnings Baptist Church in Gillett, April 19. Benson founded the church, so his celebration also marked the congregation’s 10th anniversary. The congregation also retired their building debt.

Wayne Dillen, 20th, in Baptist Student Ministry work, May 18. He has served at Texas State University in San Marcos since 2011.

Events

Ivor Poobalan, president of Colombo Theological Seminary in Sri Lanka, will speak during the 10:45 a.m.service at Rice Temple Baptist Church in Houston June 7. He also will speak at a tea to be held at 3:30 p.m. June 6 about ministry in Sri Lanka. Clint Reiff is pastor.

Providence Baptist Church in Caldwell will hold a homecoming service June 7. A catered meal will follow. Malcom Bane is pastor.

Mount Zion Baptist Church in Rockdale will hold a homecoming service June 14. Lindsey Wallace will be the guest speaker. A meal will follow the service. Luther Shelander is pastor.

Texas Baptists are launching Urban BOUNCE, an opportunity to mobilize student youth groups to meet significant human needs. Though previous BOUNCE events have focused student groups on natural disaster relief, the new BOUNCE program will partner with Dallas’ People Helping People organization to do housing rehab in the city and surrounding areas. Other missions during the summer will focus on Birmingham, Ala.; Waco; Moore, Okla.; and Mineral Wells. 

Johanna Bridges, a Johanna Bridgesjunior at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the National Student Nurses’ Association. She also is president of the Baylor Student Nurses Association.

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor awarded degrees to 493 students during spring commencement ceremony. Three hundred forty-one students received baccalaureate degrees, 136 received master’s degrees and 16 earned doctoral degrees. The Provost Medal for highest grade-point average was awarded to 13 students.

Howard Payne University presented degrees to 140 students during its spring commencement ceremony. Ronny Marriott, pastor of First Baptist Church in Temple and an HPU trustee, delivered the charge to students.

Ordained

Jennifer Haney to the ministry at First Baptist Church in Abilene, May 10.

Will Stark as a deacon at First Baptist Church in Lancaster, April 19.

The Baptist General Convention of Texas evangelism division will conduct a Spanish language 4xFour evangelism clinic  from 9 a.m. to noon May 30 at Crosspoint Church Español in Bellaire. 4xFour is a process to reach people with the Gospel.

Dallas Baptist University presented the Jonathan Fechner and Brittany O’Neal received Dallas Baptist University’s Frank and Martin Moore Servant Leadership Award.Frank and Martin Moore Servant Leadership Award to Brittany O’Neal of The Colony and Jonathan Fechner of Dallas in recognition of their stewardship within the DBU community and throughout the city. They each received $750 toward educational use and $250 to donate to the charity of their choice.

Howard Payne University honored Bill Fowler, associate professor of Christian studies, as outstanding faculty member of the year and Bobbie Price, certification coordinator and graduation assistant, as the outstanding staff member. Certificates recognizing excellence in teaching were received by Danny Brunette-Lopez, associate professor of Spanish, and Kathy Hagood, associate professor of English. Rebecca Mainka and Matt Zinser were recognized for excellence in service. Length of service awards were presented to Robert Mangrum, university historian and professor of government and history, 35 years; and Mary Dunham, assistant professor of library science and technical services librarian, 30 years. Also recognized for 25 years of service were Brenda Brittain, Gerry Clarkson, and Gary Gramling; 20 years, Wendy Grooms, John Nickols and Bertha Valle; and 15 years, Mary Griffin, Kathy James, Tracy Stansberry and Patricia Valencia.

Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing Shelley Conroy (left), dean and professor at Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing, and Shelby Garner (right), assistant professor, accepted Baylor’s Leadership in Undergraduate Research Award from Susan Bratton (center), director of the university’s undergraduate research and scholarly achievement organization.received the university’s award for leadership in undergraduate research. The nursing school initiated individual and team opportunities for hands-on undergraduate research, including field schools and international projects.

Buckner Children and Family Services will present a free foster-care and adoption information meeting May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at 5200 Buckner Blvd. in Dallas. Participants will receive an overview of foster care and adoption options in Texas, including foster-to-adopt, Waiting Texas Children, and domestic infant adoption and international adoption programs. For information or a reservation to attend, click here.

Anniversary

Larry Davis, 25th, as pastor of South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, June 8. Guest preachers for the month are Bob Dean, June 7; Jim Denison, June 14; Earl Craig, June 21; and Daniel Camp, June 28. Guest worship leaders also will lead each service during the month. A reception will be held June 14 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The month-long celebration concludes with a potluck supper June 28. Members also are encouraged to make financial or service-hour donations to ministry organizations in his honor.

Ordained

Luis Garza as a deacon at Iglesia Bautista El Buen Pastor in Beeville.

Brian Bulman, Audis Byrd, Grant Gaston, Joshua Johnson, Art McClelland, Patrick Moran and Neal Sutton as deacons at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler.

The 6th annual Bike Out Hunger-Texas will be May 11-16, 2015. The ride – about 450 miles from Boerne to Austin to Dallas – is intended to raise awareness about poverty and raise money for the Texas Baptist Hunger Offering.

With more than 31,000 children in foster care in Texas, Buckner Children and Family Services is making available daily devotional emails through the remainder of May, which is National Foster Care Month. To participate, click here to sign up for daily prayer prompts. 

Howard Payne University’s Model United Nations team excelled at an international conference in Münster, Germany, bringing home six awards from various committees. Cara DeLoach of San Angelo, Jimmy Abbatiello of Kerrville, Katie Rose Bonner of Lytle and Gavin Stewart of Flower Mound each was named the outstanding delegate from his or her respective committee. Bonner also won the best position award for her committee. Cody Perrin of Eastland was awarded honorable mention for his committee work.

Anniversary

Sarah Stafford, 10th, as associate minister of music at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas.

Retiring

James McGinlay, May 3, after 65 years of ministry. He has been a pastor 54 years, the last 22 serving at First Baptist Church of Lakeside in Fort Worth. He also was a pastor in Archer City, Lubbock, Greenville and Phoenix, Ariz. He preached in more than 500 churches during his years as an evangelist. He will continue to be available to preach.

Event

Cowboy Heritage Baptist Church in Clyde held a groundbreaking service April 5 for a new worship center. Dan Murray is pastor.

Ordained

Renée Jones to the ministry at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, March 15.

To connect directly with San Antonio families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, BCFS—formerly Baptist Child & Family Services—participated in Fiesta de los Niños, April 18. The event featured a parade, games, rides and musical performances. Parent educators with BCFS’ child abuse prevention programs joined in the fun, parading down the street sporting hats they decorated themselves (see photo above).

Steve Green, Steve Greenpresident of Hobby Lobby, was the keynote speaker for the 2015 Christian Business Owners’ Conference held at Dallas Baptist University. He outlined the history of his family’s businesses and also spoke about his family’s latest venture, The Museum of the Bible, scheduled to open in Washington, D.C., in 2017. 

Howard Payne University’s athletic training education program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education. Graduates of the program now can take the examination to become certified athletic trainers through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. 

East Texas Baptist University held a Donna Dooleyretirement reception for Donna Dooley, dean of the School of Education, April 24. She came to ETBU in 1997 as a professor of teacher education and was named dean in 2008. She received a decorative crystal bowl as a token of her service.

Anniversaries

Dana Altimore, 15th, as pastor of Five Points Baptist Church in Bryan.

Lake Tyler Baptist Church in Tyler, 30th, May 31. Josh Thompson is interim pastor.

Retiring

Larry Blackmon, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Hearne, where he has served 22 years, May 17. He celebrated 50 years as a pastor last September. He is moving to West and will be available for supply preaching or interim pastorates. He also has been pastor at First Baptist Church in Malakoff, Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Silsbee, Northside Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs and two Arkansas churches. He is president of the board of trustees of Latham Springs Baptist Camp and Retreat Center. He can be reached at (979) 446-4969.

Ordained

Chelsea Krahulik, to the ministry at Dayspring Baptist Church in Waco.

Texas Baptist Men’s well-drilling and water-purification ministry held a training event April 11 at the Dixon Mission Equipping Center in East Dallas. Classes provided a basic overview of the ministry’s mission, with specialized training in various procedures and mechanics used in its outreach, from water-well-drilling to filter construction.

“The End of Religion?” a symposium exploring the claim religion is declining and near its ultimate fall, will be hosted by Baylor University’s Institute for Studies of Religion May 5 from 8:30 a.m. until noon at Truett Theological Seminary. Symposium lectures include: “A Godless World? Signs of a Global Religious Revival,” by Rodney Stark; “Godless Europe?” by Philip Jenkins; “Godless Lives? Does Religion Matter for Our Well-Being?” by Jeff Levin; “The Myth of American Piety,” by Byron Johnson; and “Toward a Godless America,” by J. Gordon Melton. It is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, click here. 

Howard Payne University is exhibiting paintings by Pam Chadwick Aloisa, gallery director and professor of art history and art at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The show, housed in HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center, will run through April 29. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Anniversary

Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, 60th, May 3. David Dykes is pastor.

Ordained

Jim Troxel to the ministry at Battetown Baptist Church in Cameron, where he is pastor.